The Arabic Language

Concentrating on the difference between the two types of Arabic--the classical standard language and the dialects--Kees Versteegh charts the history and development of the Arabic language from its earliest beginnings to modern times.

The reader is given a solid grounding in the structure of the language, its historical context and its use in various literary and non-literary genres, as well as an understanding of the role of Arabic as a cultural, religious and political world language.